Sydney International Open - April 2007

April 2007 marks the inaugural Sydney International Open, a FIDE-rated event, to be held at Parramatta Town Hall.

Organised by Brian Jones and Australian Chess Enterprises, the SIO is scheduled to commence on April 10, immediately following the Doeberl Cup. With its $13,000 prize fund this event has attracted many overseas competitors as well as a host of local stars.

By the beginning of January nine GMs had already signed up as well as six IMs and, so far, a handful of WIMs and FMs. With almost three months left before the start of play, it's certain there will be many more.

If you'd like to share the atmosphere and play in an international tournament, right on your own doorstep, this is an opportunity. Of course, being a prestige event there are a few things to keep in mind:

Entry fees are based on your FIDE rating—the higher your rating, the less you pay. So, if you are rated above 2500 (unlikely at Rooty Hill, unless you've been hiding your light under a bushel) you get free admission; if your FIDE rating is 2300-2399 you get in for $100; FIDE 1600-2199 entrants pay $140; and all we mere local players who don't have a FIDE rating at all (no matter how high your local rating is) will pay $160.

So everybody is welcome and the atmosphere generated at an event of this kind is—priceless! (Think what it would cost to fly overseas to find an equivalent tournament.) Get excited about it. This is going to be enormous!

There will be nine rounds—one on Tuesday, April 10, then two a day for four days, with the prizegiving on Saturday night.

For full details visit the official website at SIO.

Entries to date (25th March) are as follows:

- by David Evans

Click here to view collection of games of top 10 competitors

To read Edwin Lam's promotional article published by Chessbase click on ChessBase